Floating Roof for Oil Tank

ABSTRACT

A floating roof for an oil tank includes a beam unit and a plurality of float units secured on the beam unit. The beam unit includes a plurality of longitudinal beams and a plurality of transverse beams. Each of the longitudinal beams has an upright wall provided with a plurality of first transverse holes. Each of the transverse beams is located between two of the longitudinal beams and has a bottom plate and two transverse side plates. Each of the two transverse side plates has a second transverse hole. The beam unit further includes a plurality of bolts each extending through one of the first transverse holes and the second transverse hole of each of the transverse side plates, and a plurality of nuts screwed onto the bolts, so that the longitudinal beams and the transverse beams are combined together.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a floating-roof tank and, moreparticularly, to a floating roof for an oil tank.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional oil tank comprises a shell, a floating roof mounted inthe shell, and a sealing device mounted between the shell and thefloating roof. The floating roof is placed on the top of an oilcontained in the shell and is lifted or lowered with the liquid level toreduce diffusion of the oil air. The floating roof includes a pluralityof float units and a plurality of connections mounted between the floatunits to connect the float units. A conventional floating roof comprisesa plurality of connecting rods and a plurality of float units. Theconnecting rods are arranged longitudinally and transversely to formmultiple receiving spaces for mounting the float units. Each of theconnecting rods has two sides each formed with at least one mountingslot allowing insertion of one of the float units. The top of each ofthe connecting rods is provided with at least one reinforcing platewhich is provided with a plurality of locking portions. Each of thefloat units has a periphery provided with a plurality of fasteningmembers. The conventional floating roof further comprises a plurality ofscrews extending through the locking portions of the at least onereinforcing plate of each of the connecting rods and screwed into thefastening members of each of the float units, so that the connectingrods and the float units are combined together.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a floatingroof for an oil tank, comprising a beam unit and a plurality of floatunits mounted on the beam unit. The beam unit includes a plurality oflongitudinal beams and a plurality of transverse beams connected withthe longitudinal beams. Each of the longitudinal beams has an uprightwall provided with a plurality of first transverse holes. Each of thetransverse beams is located between two of the longitudinal beams andhas a bottom plate and two transverse side plates extending upward fromthe bottom plate. Each of the two transverse side plates of each of thetransverse beams is provided with a second transverse hole aligning withone of the first transverse holes of one of the longitudinal beams. Thebeam unit further includes a plurality of bolts each extending throughone of the first transverse holes of each of the longitudinal beams andthe second transverse hole of each of the two transverse side plates ofeach of the transverse beams, and a plurality of nuts screwed onto thebolts, so that the longitudinal beams and the transverse beams arecombined together. The float units are secured on and supported by thelongitudinal beams and the transverse beams of the beam unit.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent after a careful reading of the detailed description withappropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a plane view of an oil tank in accordance with the preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of a floating roof inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a locally enlarged view of the floating roof taken alongmarking 2A as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a partially perspective assembly view of the floating roof inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective assembly view of the floating roof in accordancewith the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the floating roof as shown inFIG. 4.

FIGS. 6-9 are perspective views showing transverse beams of differenttypes in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 10-13 are schematic plane views showing combination of transversebeams with longitudinal beams of different types in accordance with thepreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 14-16 are perspective views showing fixed seats of different typesin accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 17-20 are exploded perspective views showing combination oftransverse beams with longitudinal beams of different types inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1, an oil tank inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present inventioncomprises a shell A, a floating roof mounted in the shell A, and asealing device B mounted between an inner wall of the shell A and anouter diameter of the floating roof. The floating roof is placed on thetop of an oil contained in the shell A and is lifted or lowered with theliquid level to reduce diffusion of the oil air.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5 with reference to FIG. 1, the floating roofin accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present inventioncomprises a beam unit 1, a plurality of float units 2 mounted on thebeam unit 1, and a plurality of support posts 3 mounted on the beam unit1.

The beam unit 1 includes a plurality of longitudinal beams 11 and aplurality of transverse beams 12 connected with the longitudinal beams11.

The longitudinal beams 11 are parallel with each other. Each of thelongitudinal beams 11 is made of metallic material and is formed to havean elongate shape. Each of the longitudinal beams 11 has an upright wall111 provided with a plurality of first transverse holes 1110 (see FIG.2A) each extending in a lengthwise direction of each of the longitudinalbeams 11. Each of the first transverse holes 1110 has different shapes,such as circular or elongate shapes.

The transverse beams 12 are parallel with each other and perpendicularto the longitudinal beams 11. Each of the transverse beams 12 is locatedbetween two of the longitudinal beams 11 and has a bottom plate 121 andtwo transverse side plates 122 extending upward from the bottom plate121. Each of the two transverse side plates 122 of each of thetransverse beams 12 is provided with a second transverse hole 124 (seeFIG. 2A) aligning with one of the first transverse holes 1110 of one ofthe longitudinal beams 11.

The beam unit 1 further includes a plurality of bolts 5 (see FIG. 10)each extending through one of the first transverse holes 1110 of each ofthe longitudinal beams 11 and the second transverse hole 124 of each ofthe two transverse side plates 122 of each of the transverse beams 12,and a plurality of nuts screwed onto the bolts 5, so that thelongitudinal beams 11 and the transverse beams 12 are combined together.

The beam unit 1 further includes a plurality of reinforcing members 13each mounted on a connection of each of the longitudinal beams 11 andeach of the transverse beams 12 to reinforce the whole strength of thebeam unit 1.

The float units 2 are secured on and supported by the longitudinal beams11 and the transverse beams 12 of the beam unit 1. The longitudinalbeams 11 and the transverse beams 12 of the beam unit 1 constructmultiple receiving spaces of different sizes for mounting the floatunits 2 of different sizes.

The support posts 3 are mounted on the bottom of the beam unit 1. Eachof the support posts 3 has an upper end provided with a support plate 31locked onto the beam unit 1 by screws, so that each of the support posts3 is affixed to the bottom of the beam unit 1. Thus, when the floatingroof is lowered, the support posts 3 are moved downward to touch thebottom of the shell A to keep a determined space between the floatingroof and the bottom of the shell A.

Referring to FIG. 6, each of the transverse beams 12A has asubstantially U-shaped configuration.

Referring to FIG. 7 with reference to FIGS. 2 and 2A, each of thetransverse beams 12B has a longitudinal side plate 125 located betweenthe two transverse side plates 122. The longitudinal side plate 125 ofeach of the transverse beams 12B is provided with a plurality oflongitudinal holes 1251. The beam unit 1 further includes a plurality ofscrews respectively extending through the first transverse holes 1110 ofeach of the longitudinal beams 11 and the longitudinal holes 1251 of thelongitudinal side plate 125 of each of the transverse beams 12B andrespectively screwed into a periphery of each of the float units 2, sothat the float units 2 are locked onto the longitudinal beams 11 and thetransverse beams 12B of the beam unit 1.

Referring to FIG. 8 with reference to FIGS. 2 and 2A, each of thetransverse beams 12C has two outside plates 126 respectively extendingoutward from the two transverse side plates 122, with a slot 123 beingdefined between each of the two outside plates 126 and each of the twotransverse side plates 122. Each of the two outside plates 126 of eachof the transverse beams 12C is provided with a third transverse hole 127aligning with the second transverse hole 124 of each of the twotransverse side plates 122. The slot 123 of each of the transverse beams12C allows insertion of the upright wall 111 of each of the longitudinalbeams 11. Each of the bolts 5 (see FIG. 10) extends through the secondtransverse hole 124 of each of the two transverse side plates 122 ofeach of the transverse beams 12C, one of the first transverse holes 1110of each of the longitudinal beams 11 and the third transverse hole 127of each of the two outside plates 126 of each of the transverse beams12C, and each of the nuts is screwed onto the bolts 5, so that thelongitudinal beams 11 and the transverse beams 12C are combinedtogether.

Referring to FIG. 9 with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, each of thetransverse beams 12D is a combination of each of the transverse beams12B and each of the transverse beams 12C.

Referring to FIG. 10, the upright wall 111 of each of the longitudinalbeams 11A has a lower end formed with a rib 112 extending toward oneside thereof.

Referring to FIG. 11, the upright wall 111 of each of the longitudinalbeams 11B does not have any rib.

Referring to FIG. 12, the upright wall 111 of each of the longitudinalbeams 11C has a lower end formed with two ribs 112 extending toward twoopposite sides thereof. Preferably, each of the longitudinal beams 11Cis made of a metal sheet plate which is bent to form the upright wall111 and the two ribs 112.

Referring to FIG. 13, the upright wall 111 of each of the longitudinalbeams 11D has a lower end formed with two ribs 112 extending toward twoopposite sides thereof. Preferably, each of the longitudinal beams 11Dis made of metal material which is extruded or cast to form the uprightwall 111 and the two ribs 112.

As shown in FIGS. 10-13, the longitudinal beams 11A, 11B, 11C or 11D areconnected with the transverse beams 12D for example.

Referring to FIG. 14 with reference to FIG. 2, the floating roof furthercomprises a plurality of fixed seats 4A located under the longitudinalbeams 11. Each of the fixed seats 4A has a surface provided with aplurality of locking slots. Each of the locking slots has a first endprovided with a groove 41 and a second end provided with an enlargedhole 42 connected to the groove 41. The enlarged hole 42 has a diametergreater than the width of the groove 41. Preferably, each of the fixedseats 4A has a substantially inverted U-shaped configuration.

Referring to FIG. 15, each of the fixed seats 4B has a substantiallyinverted L-shaped configuration.

Referring to FIG. 16, each of the fixed seats 4C is a sheet plate.

Referring to FIG. 17, the fixed seats 4A are located under thelongitudinal beams 11A. The rib 112 of each of the longitudinal beams11A is provided with a screw hole (not shown). The floating roof furthercomprises a plurality of screws each screwed into the screw hole of therib 112 of each of the longitudinal beams 11A and each extending throughthe enlarged hole 42 into the groove 41 of each of the fixed seats 4A,so that the longitudinal beams 11A are locked onto the fixed seats 4A.

As shown in FIGS. 17-20, the longitudinal beams 11A, 11B, 11C or 11D areconnected with the transverse beams 12D for example. In addition, thelongitudinal beams 11A, 11B, 11C or 11D are connected with the fixedseats 4A for example.

Again referring to FIGS. 10-13, the longitudinal beams 11A, 11B, 11C or11D are connected with the fixed seats 4A, 4B or 4C.

Accordingly, the longitudinal beams 11 and the transverse beams 12 arecombined to construct the beam unit 1 which locks and supports the floatunits 2, so that the floating roof has a simplified structure, therebydecreasing the cost of fabrication. In addition, the longitudinal beams11 and the transverse beams 12 are assembled solidly and steadily, sothat the beam unit 1 has a greater mechanic strength, thereby enhancingthe lifetime of the floating roof. Further, the longitudinal beams 11and the transverse beams 12 are assembled easily and conveniently,thereby facilitating the operator assembling the beam unit 1.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many otherpossible modifications and variations can be made without departing fromthe scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated thatthe appended claim or claims will cover such modifications andvariations that fall within the scope of the invention.

1. A floating roof for an oil tank, comprising: a beam unit; and aplurality of float units mounted on the beam unit; wherein: the beamunit includes a plurality of longitudinal beams and a plurality oftransverse beams connected with the longitudinal beams; each of thelongitudinal beams has an upright wall provided with a plurality offirst transverse holes; each of the transverse beams is located betweentwo of the longitudinal beams and has a bottom plate and two transverseside plates extending upward from the bottom plate; each of the twotransverse side plates of each of the transverse beams is provided witha second transverse hole aligning with one of the first transverse holesof one of the longitudinal beams; the beam unit further includes aplurality of bolts each extending through one of the first transverseholes of each of the longitudinal beams and the second transverse holeof each of the two transverse side plates of each of the transversebeams, and a plurality of nuts screwed onto the bolts, so that thelongitudinal beams and the transverse beams are combined together; andthe float units are secured on and supported by the longitudinal beamsand the transverse beams of the beam unit.
 2. The floating roof for anoil tank of claim 1, wherein: each of the transverse beams has alongitudinal side plate located between the two transverse side plates;the longitudinal side plate of each of the transverse beams is providedwith a plurality of longitudinal holes; and the beam unit furtherincludes a plurality of screws respectively extending through the firsttransverse holes of each of the longitudinal beams and the longitudinalholes of the longitudinal side plate of each of the transverse beams andrespectively screwed into a periphery of each of the float units, sothat the float units are locked onto the longitudinal beams and thetransverse beams of the beam unit.
 3. The floating roof for an oil tankof claim 1, wherein: each of the transverse beams has two outside platesrespectively extending outward from the two transverse side plates, witha slot being defined between each of the two outside plates and each ofthe two transverse side plates; each of the two outside plates of eachof the transverse beams is provided with a third transverse holealigning with the second transverse hole of each of the two transverseside plates; the slot of each of the transverse beams allows insertionof the upright wall of each of the longitudinal beams; each of the boltsextends through the second transverse hole of each of the two transverseside plates of each of the transverse beams, one of the first transverseholes of each of the longitudinal beams and the third transverse hole ofeach of the two outside plates of each of the transverse beams; and eachof the nuts is screwed onto the bolts, so that the longitudinal beamsand the transverse beams are combined together.
 4. The floating roof foran oil tank of claim 3, wherein: each of the transverse beams has alongitudinal side plate located between the two transverse side plates;the longitudinal side plate of each of the transverse beams is providedwith a plurality of longitudinal holes; and the beam unit furtherincludes a plurality of screws respectively extending through the firsttransverse holes of each of the longitudinal beams and the longitudinalholes of the longitudinal side plate of each of the transverse beams andrespectively screwed into a periphery of each of the float units, sothat the float units are locked onto the longitudinal beams and thetransverse beams of the beam unit.
 5. The floating roof for an oil tankof claim 1, wherein the upright wall of each of the longitudinal beamshas a lower end formed with a rib extending toward one side thereof. 6.The floating roof for an oil tank of claim 1, wherein the upright wallof each of the longitudinal beams has a lower end formed with two ribsextending toward two opposite sides thereof.
 7. The floating roof for anoil tank of claim 6, wherein each of the longitudinal beams is made of ametal sheet plate which is bent to form the upright wall and the tworibs.
 8. The floating roof for an oil tank of claim 6, wherein each ofthe longitudinal beams is made of metal material which is extruded orcast to form the upright wall and the two ribs.